Winter trout fishing will be closed in the lower reaches of North Canterbury rivers from the end of April after approval from the Department of Conservation’s Director General.

The closure is aimed at preserving the valued fishery which has suffered from years of environmental degradation.

The new rules will be effective from midnight 30th April 2016, and apply to all trout and salmon fishing in waterways east of State Highway One within the North Canterbury Fish and Game Region.

The Chairman of North Canterbury Fish & Game Trevor Isitt says the decision has the overwhelming backing of the region’s anglers.

“We had a public meeting in March to discuss this move – more than 110 people attended and gave their unanimous support. They understand that the fishery is under threat thanks to environmental degradation and poor water management policies and this is something constructive they can do to help protect what they love,” Mr Isitt says.

“I want to thank all anglers for their overwhelming support for the closure, and their determination to protect our fisheries resource.”

Mr Isitt says the new rules are straightforward.

“No person shall attempt to fish for or take any sports fish including salmon and trout east of, or downstream of, State Highway One anywhere in the North Canterbury Fish and Game Region between 1 May and 30 September.”

Following the March meeting, North Canterbury Fish & Game asked the Department of Conservation to approve the closure and DOC head Lou Sanson has used his delegated authority to do so under the Conservation Act 1987.

North Canterbury Fish & Game is now making sure all anglers know of the closure, something Trevor Isitt says is a big job.

“We’ll be running newspaper ads to alert people about what has happened and our staff will be out and about adjusting signage in the affected areas in coming days,” he says.

Fishing licence retailers will also be contacted so that anyone purchasing a fishing licence will be made aware of the changes.